“A sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have, but how many leaders you create.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
-George Bernard Shaw
Yes, change in society means there is a need for an ideal leader who supports everyone, guides everyone on the right path, and does not discriminate between less and more. No one can become a leader by mere orders.
A leader should blend in with the people and earn a reputation as a good-hearted leader and stay in the hearts of the people. If a leader has a sense of equality, empathy and punctuality, a go-getter attitude and a sharing personality, then surely people follow his footsteps. Above all, an empathetic leader guides the people.
A teacher who empathizes with the needs of his students can pave the way for their future. A boss who empathizes with the needs of his workers can help them and make their work easier. A politician who empathizes with the needs of the people of his constituency can achieve the development of his constituency.
An officer who empathizes with his co-workers can lead his office on the path of development. Therefore, I believe a leader, who supports everyone, walks with everyone and gives equal opportunities to everyone is an ideal leader of society.
There is no doubt that if a common person possesses the quality of getting along, we call it inclusion and the qualities of Sympathy, Compassion and Empathy, that person’s family will only prosper. There is no doubt if the head of a group applies the same qualities, the group will be better. There is no doubt if the person running an organization adopts the same qualities, the organization will flourish. There is no doubt if a leader possesses those qualities, the society he lives in will be better.
Therefore, a leader has the capacity to bring inclusion and instil sympathy, compassion and empathy among people for the prosperity of society. You know a leader is one who is open and implemental about his commitment to diversity and inclusion. He first educates himself about the significance and quality of inclusion and acquires knowledge about different social norms.
Fetching interest in others’ thoughts and ideas, listening to all, and acknowledging their perspectives and opinions are all various assets of leadership. Besides these, promoting coactions and asking for feedback is also a great quality of a leader. Hence a leader is an effective person in bringing inclusion in any workplace or organization as he has a strong sense of self-awareness, moral principles, righteous social values, listening skills, and empathy.
In today’s busy world, there are leaders, but inclusive leaders are different. Such leaders play a healthy and valuable role in creating inclusive workplaces through their inclusive behaviour. Being an inclusive leader, one doesn’t require a big and complicated plan of action but can create a supportive environment and establish clear communication by displaying the right attitude.
You know this way, a true leader plays a significant role and creates a more effective working environment in his surroundings. To be more inclusive, leaders must recognize fellow members’ contributions; build relationships with peers, partners and other stakeholders to create a social connection.
Besides these, leaders with an outlook of self-awareness, curiosity and fearlessness will have the ability to create an environment where people feel honoured and able to contribute their best to society.
Moreover, Leaders provide safe spaces to the public for conveying, sharing their thoughts and exchanging ideas without judgment through inclusion and empathy and create a healthy environment to live in society. The use of inclusive and respectful language always promotes equity and transparency in the work we handle.
Therefore, inclusive leadership refers to the ability to lead and manage people without biases or prejudices and to cultivate a work environment.
Now let us have a look at empathy which is the other aspect of leadership competency. An Empathetic leader having the ability to understand the needs of others and being aware of their feelings and thoughts can create a positive, vibrant work environment. Empathy undoubtedly leaves a significant impact in the workplace. People enjoy and take pleasure in their work in the presence of empathetic leaders. In my opinion, an empathetic leader is someone who has acquired the skill of recognizing the emotional needs of others and is able to understand and empower them.
When leaders instil empathy in the workplace, they can contemplate the struggle of their employees by putting themselves in their shoes and extending their hands to ease their work. Therefore, this way, empathy paves the way to increase trust and a sense of value for their working group.
Also, these leaders understand how to train employees through challenging situations and take care of their well-being. Based on these valid reasons, I believe empathy is a golden umbrella that can bring all the Bosses, officials, authorities, leaders and the entire working community under its shelter equally to work for greater rates of success.
So I opine, Leaders are responsible for building a workplace culture of inclusion and belongingness. It is true whether he is an employee or a common man, one trusts a genuine leader who guides him in the right direction.
Therefore, it is important that we build a culture of trust, confidence and transparency through inclusion and empathy. Indeed, leaders who take the time to understand the needs of the people can provide them with any kind of support they require to deal with the challenges or issues that might be holding them back from achieving their targets.
So I have no hesitation in saying that there is a good role for a good leader to bring about any change in society. If the leader walks on the right path, the people who follow him will also walk on the same path. So the leader is the right person to bring inclusion and instil empathy among people for a righteous society.
“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”
– Douglas MacArthur
About the Author
Shaik Sardar Basha is a Post Graduate Teacher (English) at Kendriya Vidyalaya Ntpc Ramagundam, Hyderabad Region.
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